TREATMENT UPDATE

Lots of snow between cabin and tent

The snow is retreating.

Beautiful spray of roses. Thanks, Marilyn!

Has anyone been more spoiled than I? I had an appointment at the Red Deer Cancer Center this morning at 10:00 a.m. for a Herceptin treatment. After my treatment I met my friend Marilyn Martin in the hospital cafeteria for lunch. She treated me to a beautiful rainbow spray of roses as well as lunch. We had an enjoyable though short visit. I feel so fortunate to have had ongoing support throughout my treatment for breast cancer!!

Anna at the Cancer Center printed off my schedule for radiation treatment. It begins on April 29th and ends on May 28th. Treatment is at the Cancer Center in Edmonton. I will probably stay with Kai during that time. Central AB Imaging called today also. I have an appointment for a MUGA scan for May 1st in Red Deer. Dr. Tarakandirwa, my oncologist, ordered the scan. As Herceptin can affect the heart, I am being closely monitored.

After lunch today I went to Carstar to have the right rear-view mirror replaced on my car. The remainder of the body work is booked for June 10th. I'm glad this fits in with my treatment schedule so I won't have to adjust any appointments.

Driving home from Red Deer today I enjoyed listening to an interview with and music by Tom Philips (Men of Constant Sorrow.) It has been a beautiful, sunny day. The temperature at this moment (5:20 p.m.) is +9.

CANMORE, EDMONTON, AND EASTER

THE CANMORE EXPERIENCE:

Alice, Laurel, and Kayli arrived at my place on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 31st to pick me up en route to Canmore where Alice had booked a five-day holiday at the Elkhorn Lodges. Before we left I made a large pot of coffee to fill all the travel mugs, and we all had a snack/lunch. It was a good thing that Laurel was driving her van as some of us do not travel light!! With Laurel's massage table and my clothing and activities for any possible event, the van was almost fully loaded. After leaving my home we travelled straight to Canmore with no stops.

Upon arrival in Canmore we went directly to the Elkhorn Lodges and checked in. We were all impressed by our small but cosy and practically-designed accommodation. Alice and I shared a bedroom with queen-sized bed, ensuite bathroom, and TV. Laurel and Kayli shared a room with twin beds, and a bathroom across the hallway. The kitchen, dining, and living room formed an open area. The living room had a TV and fireplace, as well as a door opening on to a patio.

After we unpacked and got settled in, we headed for Main Street. None of us felt like cooking so ate supper that first evening at Murrietta's. This restaurant is large and on the second floor of the building, at the top of a wide, beautifully tiled staircase. There are large overhead beams and large windows on two sides with mountain views. There are many eating areas including lounge, bar tables by the window, and low tables with chequered tablecloths by the window or not. That first evening my sisters and I ordered the roasted half chicken with maple-roasted yam stuffing and garlic mashed potatoes. It was so delicious and so amply-sized that it provided lunch for the next day.

Day 2, Wednesday: Kayli brought coffee to Alice and I in bed. After our coffee we had oatmeal porridge made by Laurel with Alice's organic oats. Mmmm... Eventually we got ourselves ready for the outdoor heated pool and hot tub which we so enjoyed. After a leftover lunch we headed to town for some shopping. We had afternoon coffee at Continen-tea and bought tickets for the evening's live performance. After that it was more shopping. We ran out of time to return to our rooms to cook supper and freshen up for our evening outing. Thus we had a quick supper at A&W, then returned to Continen-tea. We found a table adjacent to the stage, and enjoyed performances by Ben Sures, and also the Painted Birds. I ordered a chai latte and let my sisters and Kayli sample. Kayli enjoyed it so much that it took some cajoling to get her to return my drink!!

Day 3, Thursday: I tried my hand at some cooking. I made spinach frittatas for breakfast with eggs from our chickens. In the evening I made a bison stew with Helge's root vegies and bison from the Lee family. Again we enjoyed the outdoor pool and hot tub. Laurel had purchased a ball so we enjoyed playing ball games in the water. It was a good way for me to exercise my left arm. When we were indoors we played scrabble online and off, did some origami, and watched TV. Alice especially enjoys her home shows. Again on Thursday, we made time for shopping.

Day 4, Friday: Did we miss our swimming? We went shopping again, and had an awesome lunch at the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company. My sisters and I ordered the soup/flatbread pizza special. The soup was made from maple roasted yam(or squash?) The pizza was baked in a stone oven and was a delightful combination of pesto, spinach, tomato, etc. This restaurant uses organic ingredients for the most part so Alice made a good contact for potential buyer for her organic wheat and oats. Here are a couple of quotes from the wall of this restaurant:

"Choose your farmer with the same care as your pastor, lawyer, doctor, or any other professional." Tom Willey
"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all." Harriet Van Horne

After returning to our room to freshen up, we met Fred Majocha and his new wife Val at Murrietta's for supper. (Fred was married to my first cousin Marie who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer three years ago.) Again it was dining at its best. Val and I enjoyed the Bouillabaise. After supper, Fred and Val returned with us to our accommodation where we enjoyed more great visiting. Fred brought his digital photo frame and showed us some pictures of his and Val's travels.

Day 5, Saturday: Alice's friend, Linda (formerly Linda Flemming from Kingman) arrived from Calgary to visit. We all enjoyed the hot tub and swimming pool together. Alice and Linda went to Continen-tea for lunch. Linda said that their chai lattes were the best she had ever tasted!! Laurel, Kayli and I enjoyed leftovers (flatbread pizza, etc.) After Alice returned and Linda said goodbye we once again headed for town. One of our enjoyable activities was wine tasting at the Canmore Wine Merchants. Saturday evening Laurel made a great supper with spaghetti and homemade sauce, steamed vegies, and salad. We enjoyed our meal with wine and fresh bread. Dessert was chocolate-dipped strawberries and Haagen Dazs ice cream.

Sunday, April 5th: Our holiday came to an end all too quickly. We checked out between 10 and 11 in the morning. Then, once again, we headed for Main Street. We had booked the Quarry for breakfast. This restaurant had a contemporary feel. We sat by the window, enjoying the mountain view as well as the bouquet of pussy willows, fresh lilies, and branch with berries. Laurel and Alice said their omelets were the best they had every had. Kayli had sweet french toast made with the restaurant's own homemade challah bread. It was beautiful presented in layers with whipped cream and berries. Kayli was happy she had made such a good choice. I had the chorizo sausage bowl. It consisted of a hash with chunks of potato, peas, tomatoes, spinach, and sausage. This was topped by two poached eggs. The hash combination was not one I would have ever thought of but was phenomenal. Our egg dishes were accompanied by an excellent multigrain toast. Like the challah bread, the multigrain bread was also made by the restaurant. This restaurant was committed to using mostly organic products.

After our breakfast, we did some last minute shopping. Then we went to a book sale at the Canmore public library. We came away with six grocery bags full of books, and craftily managed to fit them into Laurel's van. We then headed for home. It was about 5 in the afternoon when Laurel dropped me off at my home.

It was great to spend some quality time with my sisters Alice and Laurel, and my niece Kayli. The setting was perfect. The holiday was a real treat after several months of treatment for breast cancer, and a winter that is in no great hurry to leave. I indulged in shopping, and enjoyed every moment especially after lying low for so long!! I found a pair of dress pants and a denim suit on sale at Toccata's. I also purchased an overtop (pink/black/white), a dressy t-shirt, a white silk scarf, and a turquoise handbag at Toccata's. At the book shop I found a beautiful lavender cashmere and silk pashmina and more origami books for my collection. Alice and I bought silver pendants handcrafted by Christine Phillipe at one of the local galleries. We also found some treasures on sale at Mementoes. The owner is selling out and heading to Vancouver to study esthetics. The Rocky Mountain Soap Company, the Quilt Shop, and Two Wolves Trading Company were other favorite stops. With so many fun places to shop, and excellent dining, it is a good thing our holiday was so short!!

EDMONTON:
After I arrived home I repacked my bags and watered my plants before leaving for Edmonton. Helge was at Caroline's Rhythm and Rhyme. I was hoping to see him before I left. I left at 7:00 p.m. Talking to him via phone later that evening I learned that I had missed him by minutes. About 15 minutes away from home heading east on Hwy 54 I hit a deer. I saw it in time to swerve to the left so I did not hit it head on. It hit the right rear-view mirror and bounced off the right side of my vehicle. The car was still operational and I was fine so I continued on my journey to Edmonton. I stayed with Kai, Jocelyn, and Sonja while I was there.

I was up just after 5 on Monday morning to allow myself enough time to get ready and to get to the Cancer Center by 8:30 p.m. Although I had not been there before, I found it without difficulty and was, in fact, early. I had a brief exam by Dr. Nijjar, the radiation oncologist. Then I headed to the mould room. There were two mould therapists, Lucille and Diana, as well as a student, Winter. The sink contained a plaster-of-paris mixture. The therapists took strips of fabric about 5 by 20 inches, soaked them in the plaster-of-paris, and covered my chest from waist to chin. The first layer was applied carefully, fitting into every little nook and making sure there were no bubbles. A second layer was added for strength. They scratched my name onto the mould. After about 5 minutes of drying, the mould was removed. I sat up and looked at a very familiar, fine-looking mould sitting on the counter!!

After my appointment, I headed for Whyte Ave. to do some exploring. I discovered an interesting little shop called Arti Facts just north of the Strathcona Hotel. They import exotic jewelry, clothing, furniture, etc. I told the owner David and assistant Tina that I was looking for a source of origami paper. David showed me how to make a flapping bird from a waterbomb base. (The usual one is made from a crane base.) Tina told me that she had a Korean man who doesn't speak any English coming to teach origami to a small group of adults in her home. She took my name and phone number. At another shop, I discovered Troll Beads. Making a charm bracelet with Pandora Beads is on my wish list. I was delighted to discover Troll as well. Both originate in Denmark and have online websites. I guess it is no surprise that I am drawn to Scandinavian design. I went to Chianti's for lunch and who do you suppose I ran in to? My lifelong friend from my Sunday School and school days, Sharon Winder-Nelson. What a coincidence, considering this was only my second visit to Chianti's. She introduced me to Diane Simonson, the daughter of Gladys who was my grade 3/4 teacher. After Whyte Ave. I checked out Southgate Mall. I found a nice deep blue cotton pullover as well as a fuschia/black/white overtop. (After my mastectomy I am looking for necklines that are not too low.) I feel well prepared for summer now except for some casual sandals. Where is Summer?!! Or how about Spring?

I enjoyed a relaxed Tuesday morning. That meant sleeping in, making my own breakfast, talking to Helge on the phone, calling the Innisfail RCMP, and watching Regis and Kelly. In the afternoon I went to visit Auntie Janet. She had her picture window in the living room replaced that morning. We visited and had coffee at her place. Later on, she took me to supper at the new Sawmill Restaurant at Capilano. It was steak night. We both ordered the 5 oz top sirloin. The toppers were free. Auntie Janet ordered peppercorn sauce. I ordered the neptune topper with lobster, scallop, shrimp and hollandaise sauce. We both had baked potatoes and fresh vegies. The dessert of angel food, whipped cream, and berries was included. It was an excellent meal, and one of the rare times I have ordered steak. After our meal we enjoyed a lovely visit with Auntie Janet's friends, Evelyn and Norman Jensen. Evelyn recently underwent a mastectomy also. Auntie Janet had prepared some vegetable barley soup to take to her. When I return to Edmonton for five weeks of radiation therapy, Auntie Janet says she expects to see me every week. I look forward to that as we always enjoy each other's company. I returned to Kai's about 9:30 p.m. Sonja, Courtney, and I then went to the theatre for the late show. They went to their pick. I enjoyed Duplicity with Clive Owen and Julia Roberts.

Wednesday, it was back to the Cancer Center. The first stop was the mould room. The plaster-of-paris mould was used to create a plastic shield. The shield was fitted to my chest. Four pieces of plastic were used to attach the shield to the plastic beneath my back. Each of the four pieces was approximately 2 by 10 inches. A propane torch was used to heat each piece of plastic and then a right angle was made at one end of each of the four pieces. A drill was then used to drill screw holes into the short folded ended of each piece. Each of these pieces was then attached by screws to the piece of plastic I was laying on. The other end of each of these four pieces was attached with chloroform to the shield. The next step was a CT scan with the shield in place. This scan will help Dr. Nijjar plan my treatment. After the scan, I had radiation education with one of the radiation therapists. Throughout this entire procedure, I was treated very well. I always had excellent guidance on what to expect, and where to go next. I am to be notified by April 22nd regarding the start date of my radiation treatment. After my appointment, I met my cousin Marlene at Earl's on the University Campus. Neither of us had had lunch so she treated me. We had a wonderful visit. I enjoyed hearing of her plans for Guyana in July and Open Studies in September.

Thursday morning I left Edmonton. Helge had made an appointment for me at Carstar in Red Deer to have an estimate of the damage done to my vehicle when I hit the deer. (The estimate total was $6079. Approximately $1500 of this estimate is parts; the remainder is labour cost.) Next was lunch, picking up a Recreation Program guide at the Rec Center, and a few groceries at Superstore. Then it was off to Innisfail to file an accident report at the Innisfail RCMP. After that was completed, I bought some more groceries at the Co-op, had some supper, then headed home. When I arrived home, the cabin was empty as I knew it would be. Helge was at the annual REA meeting in Leslieville. By time he arrived home I had unpacked the car, put away groceries, and had some down time. It was so good to be home again.

EASTER WEEKEND:

Easter lilies - what a beautiful fragrance!

On Good Friday, Helge and I enjoyed a quiet day at home. Saturday morning my friend, Judie Doran from Rocky Mtn House, called and asked if I wanted to go with her to the CCHA National Cutting Horse Competition at the Olds arena. This was my introduction to the sport of cutting. I was glad to gain some insight, and hope to watch Judie when she competes at one of the Central AB competitions this spring/summer. Judie treated me to a homemade burger at the arena concession, and to a latte and snack at the Coffee Binge in Sundre on our way home. Another fun day!!

On Easter Sunday we had a lovely Easter dinner with Aina, Madison, and Sonja at Aina's home in Red Deer. (Trevor was in Saskatchewan visiting his sons and mother. Kai and Jocelyn were not there as Kai was on IV three times daily for an infection in his elbow. Jarl and Rebecca and family will be down from Peace River later this month as Jarl has a conference in Banff.) Aina cooked a delicious dinner with ham, scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, and grilled asparagas and zucchini. We enjoyed two sparkling white wines. Aina had one by Jacob's Creek, and I brought Bimbadgen, a South Australian wine that I had purchased in Canmore. Appetizers included raw vegies and dip as well as nachos and salsa. Low-fat desserts included a coffee cheesecake, strawberry pie with whipped cream, angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries, and chocolate eggs and jelly belly beans. It was a beautiful, sunny day. We ate our meal at the outside table on the deck. We also enjoyed a fire in the firepit. Later in the day, we enjoyed watching the movie Pursuit of Happyness. I had always wanted to see it so was glad to find it on satellite TV.

Now I'm having a reality adjustment after so much spoiling. That means laundry, meal preparation, washing and drying dishes, etc. Nevertheless, I am happy to have time at home. It snowed last night and this morning. Now the sun is shining and the temperature is +2. The snow is rapidly disappearing. Surprisingly I have not gained any weight with all the good life. I am looking forward to being more active with the good weather. That means lots of walking and some swimming, too. I have an appointment in Red Deer on Thursday for another Herceptin treatment and am looking forward to meeting my friend Marilyn Martin afterwards for lunch.
How blessed I am!!

P.S. I did not take any pictures at Canmore. My battery went a few days before we left for Canmore. I didn't remember that the battery with my digital camera was rechargable, or even that I had used the recharger. I was stuck in a time warp thinking I had to buy a new battery like I did with my old 35mm. What is wrong with my head? Hopefully I can get a few pictures later on from Alice to add to my blog.